A hardtopped MX-5 and all-new Alfa drop-top try to outshine the well-established convertibles from Mercedes and Porsche.

dCOTY 2006: Best Convertible category

Applying a set of sober criteria to sift out the best package in a segment fuelled by priorities more emotional than rational might be deemed by some as missing the point.

And, to some extent, they'd be right. However, with the ranks of the convertible segment steadily growing in Australia, and a variety of different approaches now on offer, fresh-air fanatics face an increasingly difficult task.

For that reason alone we couldn't resist throwing a bunch into the ring to see how they fared against the Drive Car of the Year criteria. So, slop on some sunscreen and slap on a hat - it's time to find 2006's best convertible.